Senate Approves 400-Billion-Baht Emergency Energy Loan Decree

BANGKOK, Sept 1 (TNA) - The Thai Senate approved a 400-billion-baht emergency loan decree on Monday to mitigate the impacts of the global energy crisis and support the nation's energy transition. 

The Senate voted 135 in favor, 11 against, with 28 abstentions and one non-vote, during a sitting chaired by First Vice-President Gen Kriangkrai Srirak. 

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul presented the decree to the upper house, citing an urgent need to address high oil prices and global economic volatility linked to conflict in the Middle East. 

The Constitutional Court previously ruled that the measure complied with Section 172 of the Constitution, which allows executive decrees to preserve economic security during emergencies. 

The decree, which already passed the House of Representatives, empowers the Ministry of Finance to execute borrowing plans by Sept. 30, 2027. Anutin assured lawmakers that all implementation steps remain aligned with the ministry's scheduled timeline. -819 (TNA)